CHICO &GT;&GT; John Bidwell was upset with his cannery foreman because he saw the workers chewing gum, "a disgusting habit," on his last inspection.

When the foreman explained to the general that he had encouraged the practice because it kept workers from eating the fruit they were canning, saving the company up to 200 pounds of fruit each day, Bidwell laughed aloud and declared the man a genius.

The scene, acted out by Nick Anderson as Bidwell and Tom Billheimer II as the foreman, was one of three vignettes performed by actors in period costume for Bidwell's 195th birthday on Sunday in the Bidwell Mansion.

More than 65 people paid $5 to partake in the festivities 45-minutes into the event at 6:45 p.m. which continued until 8 p.m. The celebration was almost a week late, since Bidwell was born Aug. 5, 1819, but no one seemed to mind.

"The vignettes are kind of an experiment; we haven't done this in a long time," said Susie Zimmer, a board member with the Bidwell Mansion Association. "Maybe if it goes well, we'll do something bigger for Christmas."

Zimmer wrote the three scenes based on accounts in diaries from those who lived and worked in the mansion, she said.

With Anderson's voice booming in Bidwell's office, Annie Bidwell and her nephew Guy Kennedy played a dictionary game in the library. Denise Van Patten as Annie Bidwell nearly stumped Kennedy, played by Thomas Billheimer III, with the word pusillanimous. In the kitchen, Florence the cook took offence to being ordered around by the younger house manager, Ruby, played by Nancy Leek and Kelsey Zimmer, respectively.

Guests for the birthday celebration loved the performances.

"They make you feel like you're there," said Julie Edsil. "I enjoyed it. I hope they can do more."

Lora Anderson said the scenes were like living history, being able to see how people acted and interacted with each other.

"Especially the kitchen one," she said.

In the visitors center, guests could have one of the Bidwell's favorite treats, melon, along with cupcakes supplied by the Cupcake Crusader.

Outside the historic home, tables were set up and run by members of the Bidwell Mansion Association. At one, guests tried to guess what different objects were, from a candle wick snuffer to a device that puts corks into bottles. Boys and girls played an old game, flicking hoops through the air and catching them on two long sticks, then flinging them back.

"I just think we've pulled together a wonderful birthday for John," said association board member Kay Brandt.

At the registration table, volunteer Sue Evans was planning on having another volunteer cover her booth so she could see the performances in the mansion.

"We put a lot of work in to do this," she said, "but it's all fun work."